With great sadness and broken hearts the family of Freya Wasel announces that she passed away peacefully in her home in Edmonton on April 5, 2025. Freya was born in St. Boniface Hospital on January, 21, 1948 and grew up on Inkster Blvd. in the north end of Winnipeg. She attended Inkster, Luxton, and St. John’s schools and received awards for academic achievement. She also attended Peretz Yiddish night school.
Freya continued her studies at the University of Manitoba, earning a Bachelor of Science degree and majoring in physics. She married Lewis during her final year of university. After graduation she was employed by the Manitoba Telephone System for two years in the traffic and engineering departments. She then left the work force to bear and raise her children, Norman and Rebecca.
Ten years after her first university graduation, Freya returned to the University of Manitoba in the Faculty of Education. She earned a Bachelor of Education degree and then began a new career as a teacher. Freya taught at Vincent Massey Collegiate in Fort Garry for 21 years. Her primary subject was physics, but she is also remembered for an extra-curricular activity. She coordinated and chaperoned student tours to foreign countries during spring break periods. Those tours enabled her to travel to every continent except Antarctica. Freya retired prematurely
and moved to Edmonton to take care of her grandchildren.
Freya was predeceased by her parents, Alvin and Anne Gardner and her brother Norman Gardner. She is survived by Lewis, her husband of 57 years, her son Norman (Leanne) Wasel, daughter Rebecca (Shane) Asbell, grandchildren Aliza (Eitan), Daniella, Asher, Hila, Zev, Yaffa, Caleb, Koby and Yoni. Freya is also survived by her brother Arnold Gardner, sister Rhoda (Sid) Greenstone, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Ellen and Ron Dlin, uncle and aunt Hy and Donna Dubo, nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.
Freya was known for her friendly nature and smile. She made everyone with whom she interacted feel important. She was very caring for her students who in return treated her with respect and affection. Freya was community minded and participated in many charitable organizations. She is dearly missed but leaves us with fond memories and her spirit will remain with us.

It is with the deepest sorrow and irrevocably broken hearts that we mourn the passing of Aaron; beloved husband of Katherine, and dearest father to sons Chason, Ari and Rami.

Aaron was born and raised in Winnipeg. He grew up in the North End before moving to the South End after marrying his wife Katherine more than 25 years ago. He was a successful entrepreneur and an astute businessman, but most important to him were his family, friends and faith. 

Aaron was well known for his gentle and kind nature, generosity, unparalleled sense of humour and ability to get along with absolutely everyone. He was always available and helpful to anyone in need. He was a true Mensch.

He was also a car enthusiast, outgoing traveller, avid sports fan, a caring volunteer pallbearer, and an active member of the Rady JCC. Although he attended the gym regularly to work out, some would argue he spent most of his time there socializing and making new friends. He particularly liked schmoozing with his ball hockey buddies after their weekly game and road trips.

Time spent at his cottage in Gimli were highlights of his week. Taking his adored dogs, over the years, Pumpky and now Pepper for long walks, car rides, ice cream and beach days were always very special.

Aaron endured many challenges while navigating his sudden diagnosis and the rapidly changing stages of his health. Yet, throughout, he remained strong, hopeful and optimistic. His rare and aggressive disease was a battle until the end, a testament to his strength as he outlived all medical expectations. He was a remarkable man. His bravery, courage, outstanding strength and perseverance will forever be revered and remembered. 

An additional sadness fills our hearts for those who were unable to say goodbye, however, Aaron was not granted enough time to share with everyone. May his memory be a blessing.

Aaron was predeceased by his father Morris Nudler. Left to cherish his memory are his mother Pauline, sister Marla (Aron) in Toronto, and two nieces. 

A memorial service and funeral was held on May 28, 2025, at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery with the meal of consolation at Congregation Etz Chayim.

Aaron’s legacy of love, kindness, and integrity will live on in his family forever. He had a tremendous radiant spark inside of him that made him unforgettable. His light may have been brief, but its brilliance will remain in the hearts of all who knew him. 

For those who provided thoughtful condolences and expressions of sympathy, including the meals and support to our family, we are grateful and sincerely thank you. 

In lieu of flowers, for those who wish to honour his memory, donations can be made to www.cancer.ca/supportc3 or to the charity of one’s choice. 

June 29, 1936 – May 24, 2025

Myrna Raber passed away on May 24th 2025, the 26th of Iyar, 5785, with family by her side, just a month before her 89th birthday. She was born June 29th 1936 in Winnipeg, where she was raised and lived her entire life.

She was the Matriarch of our family, with 10 grandchildren (and their spouses and significant others) and 3 great-grandchildren, who were the ‘apple of her eye’: Mark and Samantha, Daniel and Diana, Jonathan, Benjamin and Jessica, Joshua, Rachel and Eric, Arielle and Daniel, Matthew and Rachel, Megan and Ariel, and Mika and great-grandchildren: Ethan, Jacob and Isaac.

Myrna was a devoted and loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, Baba and Great-Baba, aunt, and cousin. Her parents, Fanny and Murray Golden(z”l), raised her with love and worked tirelessly to make a better life for her, and instilled in her the importance of family, lessons she passed on to her children and grandchildren.

In high school, at the Jewish Youth Club, Habonim, Mom met the love of her life, a skinny savant with an odd sense of humor whose mission was Tikkun Olam, the original “Mr. Fix-it”, our Dad, Monte(z”l). They were married on June 9th 1957, at an elegant affair at the Herzlia Synagogue, on a rainy day with the aisle romantically lit by candle-light. Once Myrna joined the Raber family, she always treated her in-laws, Marcia and Aron (Harry) Raber(z”l), as she did her own parents, with the utmost love, respect and care. She was a little sister to Ruth (Joe)(z”l), with whom she was extremely close, and she became and remained very close to her sister-in-laws Leah(z”l) and Carol (Arnold), and all their families throughout her life.

Our Mother’s and Father’s was a traditional marriage: our dad worked hard outside the home, and our mom supported him, and worked hard inside the home. They set out to start and raise a family and built a new home on Coralberry Avenue, in the brand-new development community of Garden City in the North End, where they made new life-long friendships. There, Mom and Dad raised 3 strong independent children, Avis (Ari z”l), Eileen and Earl, with deep roots in Yiddishkeit and Jewish values, and led by example how to raise our own children, and the importance of family. On top of her work at home, Mom did volunteer work with the National Council of Jewish Women, including in-school Audiology testing and Play Reading in high schools.

At home Mom was a Balabusta. She was a skilled cook and baker and ran a tight and clean ship, being supremely organized. Our Mom took great pride in her family, and in creating a warm and loving Yiddishkeit home for us. She hosted regular Friday Shabbat dinners with Babas and Zaidas Golden and Raber and countless family birthdays, holidays, Seders and Simchas were celebrated with the Golden, Raber, Kettner, Weinberg and Shapiro families. All our cousins and friends were always welcome, and the fridge was always full and over-flowing. She was always there for us. That is how we remember her: working hard, cooking over a hot stove, her sleeves rolled up, her apron on. She was strict, but she spoiled us, especially with our favorite recipes and birthday cakes. Her kamish, rolly-polly and apple cakes were legendary!

Mom was also a good sport, and agreed, against her better judgement, to let our Dad live out his dream of long adventurous family road trips and camping vacations all across North America, which was NOT her style.

Mom had a special ‘presence’, and you knew when she walked into a room. She paid very close attention to her appearance, and all our presentation, and always dressed gracefully and elegantly, like a queen.

Over the years Mom and Dad travelled to Israel, Europe, the Orient (Hong Kong and Japan) and even South America. The last several years together our parents also enjoyed wintering in Palm Springs, where they made many new friends. In later years, our parents moved to their Lanark Street home, closer to their daughters’ Avis and Eileen and their Winnipeg grandchildren who they saw frequently, sometimes just for a drop in or lunch. They made regular trips out to Calgary to visit Earl and his children, for the holidays and sometimes just for a school performance or sports event. Mom did not want to miss ANYTHING, if it involved her grandchildren.

Our mom was a very social person. She always had many and different groups of friends and enjoyed her walks and coffee ‘with the girls’, movies and book club, Rady Centrę exercise classes, and the opera and ballet, especially if it was with her daughters. She loved to meet new people, and make new friends. And she loved to talk. Boy, did she love to talk! Everyone we’ve met seems to have an ‘I just met Myrna Story’. Legend has it, that in her Graduating High School Year Book, Myrna Golden’s caption read: Silence is Golden; Myrna is NOT.

Myrna was not shy. She spoke her mind, and with our Dad fostered independence in her children and grandchildren. She offered her wisdom and advice to us, and to many others, solicited, and un-solicited. “Make sure you work hard” was one of her favorite counsels… “but not too hard”! Our Mom had a special and unique relationship with each and every grandchild, taking great interest in all their activities, friends and achievements. She loved a good joke, and in later years she had fun teaching her grandchildren Yiddish.

The last few years, especially following our dad’s un-timely passing, were very hard for our mom, forcing her to face difficult challenges alone, but she persevered, and she made a new life for herself and new friends at the Shaftesbury and the Simkin Centre. She struggled sometimes with her health and her memory, and yet at other times she was sharp as a tack. Over time, one thing never wavered: Mom’s immense love for her family, her children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were ALWAYS top of mind for her, and she literally lit up when they walked into her room.

Myrna was dedicated, proud and fiercely protective of her family. We are the luckiest family in the whole world to have had her and Dad as our parents, role models, life mentors and protectors. Myrna’s passing is so devastating for us, but we are glad that she is not suffering, and we are happy that she is re-united with the love of her life, her life-partner for almost 65 years of marriage, her Mottel. We are comforted as we realize how very blessed we have been to have had her in our lives, and our children’s lives for so long.

Myrna Raber had a life well lived and loved. She had such a wonderful smile and laugh, and taught us so very much, especially about the importance of Yiddishkeit, community, love and FAMILY, which we will always cherish and never forget.

A graveside funeral service was held at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery May 26, 2025. Pallbearers were her grandchildren, Mark, Daniel, Jonathan, Benjamin, Rachel, and Arielle, with honorary pallbearers, Joshua, Matthew, Megan and Mika.

For all who provided messages of condolence, calls, meals and support to the family, we gratefully thank you.

For those who wish to honor the memory and legacy of Myrna Raber, a donation may be made to The Monte and Myrna Raber Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, www.jewishfoundation.org (204) 477-7520.